Following their success in the County 20/20, Fakenham under 13’s have now added the County pair’s title to their portfolio.
The final was played at the Swardeston Hilltops ground against Horsford.
Horsford won the toss and surprisingly decided to bat on a damp track. The first pair batted well and put on 36 losing 1 wicket to opening bowlers Harry B and Lloyd. The second and third pairs were blown apart by a sensational spell by Charlie. He took 6 wickets in his 4 overs for just 4 runs. He was backed up by Jack T ( 1 wicket ) and Jack B ( 3 Wickets ). The fielding was first class and Fakenham held all the catches Horsford gave. Harrison, Billy and Thomas all bowled well and at the end of Horsfords innings they had been restricted to 204.
Fakenham just had to bat sensibly to win. They did this with style and class. Everyone contributed to the 283 total which gave them a 79 run win.
Man of the Match was deservedly Charlie for his fantastic bowling figures.
Well done to all the team on the day and to all the players that have played in the league games through the season.
It has been a fantastic season for the Under 13’s and it’s been a pleasure to be their Manager.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the players for making my position enjoyable and to all the parents for their support and flexibility when it came to all the fixtures we played.
Dean Futter
Fakenham under 13’s Double Winners
Fakenham's Carter Cup wait is over
Fakenham won the Carter Cup for the first time yesterday as they defeated Horsford by 16 runs in a tense encounter at Manor Park.
Phil Gray produced a man-of-the-match 55 to elevate his team to 177 in the first innings, before Sanjaya Rodrigo (4-38) helped ensure that Chris Brown's hard-working 51 was in a losing cause for Horsford.
After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Fakenham started on the back foot. Caswell - who bowled with excellent lines throughout - deservedly had Sean Cooper caught behind in the sixth over and the next wicket wasn't far away.
Rodrigo was trapped lbw by Caswell, before Stephen Gray (1) nicked behind off the same bowler. Gayan Wijekoon was looking dangerous, but on 15 his thick edge off Nathan Perry-Warnes was caught well in the gully by Matthew Wilkinson. Harvey (8) soon followed as Caswell claimed his fourth victim to leave Fakenham struggling on 44-5. Joe Pipkin and Phil Gray negotiated the spin of Chris Brown and Ryan Findlay though and managed to make it to lunch with the sixth wicket intact.
After the break, they batted positively before Pipkin was stumped in the 44th over as he attempted to get after Findlay. Dunger (1) then fell to Brown as Fakenham looked to be struggling again on 135-7.
Knowing he had to up the rate, Phil Gray's knock then came to an end as he attempted to hit Wilkinson off his consistent line at the death. Piper (14) pushed the score on before Perry-Warnes claimed the final two wickets as Fakenham were dismissed for 176.
In reply, Horsford had Warnes (0) trapped lbw by Wijekoon in the third over. This brought Sabburg to the crease and he and Perry-Warnes looked to up the tempo with positive stroke play.
In a great spell for Fakenham, the crucial wicket of Sabburg was claimed by Angus Stuart before Atkinson (1) was the victim of a superb diving catch in the slips from Rodrigo and Perry-Warnes (15) lofted a shot to Cooper at mid on.
Wilkinson (0) soon followed, bringing skipper Brown to the crease. Both he and Caswell fought hard to rebuild the innings, reaching tea on 68-5. Runs were hard to come by though and Caswell eventually fell to the spin of Rodrigo for 22 as he looked to increase the rate.
Horsford's hopes then rested on Brown - who was struggling with a hand injury - but despite the occasional boundary he couldn't get on top of the impressive attack.
Matt Spencely (12) offered support before holing out off Rodrigo. Then, with Horsford requiring a run a ball from 10 overs, Brown was forced to retire hurt.
When Brown returned after the stumping of Smith (10) he was left with too much to do and was bowled by Stuart in the final over with his team 17 runs short.
It was a fantastic effort by Fakenham to win the game after the poor start they made with the bat and skipper Sean Cooper was happy for his team. He said: “It's a great time for the best bowling and fielding performance of the season. I think there are going to be quite a few beers consumed.”
See photos here
Fakenham U13’s County Champions
Fakenham U13’s played Diss U13’s in the final of the County 20/20 Cup.
Fakenham batted first and got off to a slow but steady start. The Diss bowlers struggled with their line and gave away a number of wides. Billy and Jack B remained patient and then pushed on well. Jack B reached his 30 and retired with Billy making 18 before being caught. Jack T (17) and Thomas (7) came in and played positively and kept the scoreboard moving. Lloyd (17) and Harrison (23) managed to push the score on to 145 with some excellent shots. A huge 6 from Lloyd got the large crowd up out of their seats.
In reply Diss looked to be positive but a fired up Fakenham kept it tight in the field with Lloyd and Charlie opening up with good spells. Lloyd got the breakthrough before Thomas came on and in his 4 over spell took 2 wickets for 6 runs. Backed up with good overs from Harry B, Billy and Emily, Fakenham took control. Behind the stumps Tommo did a great job, throwing himself around and as always full of energy. Diss batsman T Davey batted well and reached his 30 with L Fairweather making a good 28 before being bowled by
Team :-
Billy, Thomas, Harrison, Lloyd, Emily, Jack B, Liam, Jack T, Harry, Charlie, Tommo.
Dean Futter.
Fakenham continue to improve
Fakenham continued to improve with a draw at title contenders Saffron Walden, but they were once again left to rue their inability to turn dominance into victory.
Gayan Wijekoon top scored with 61 from 113 balls as Fakenham posted 201 for nine. Fakenham then seized control by dismissing former England Test opener Jason Gallian and Essex starlet Tom Westley cheaply as the hosts slumped to 29 for three.
The ever-reliable Giles Ecclestone (55) guided his side out of trouble, but after he was dismissed Walden seemed set to fold as they were reduced to 163 for nine. Last man Darren Cousins defied the Fakenham attack for 16 balls, however as the hosts managed to bat out for a draw.
Keegan De Ridder blasted 137no for Fakenham A, but Matt Thomas replied with 68 as Saham Toney gained a 90pc losing draw.
3rd XI last wicket heroics
Last wicket pair Stuart Broughton (32no) and Colin Brassett (24no) saw Fakenham A to an unlikely one-wicket win at home to Holt. Fakenham's M Wall took four for 37, but Michael Curtis responded with four for 39 to leave the hosts nine wickets down and well short of their target before the last pair's heroics.
Fakenham under 13s Triumph
Fakenham U13’s travelled to Vauxhall Mallards for the County Semi Final of the MCC Spirit of Cricket Competition. Fakenham won the toss and decided to bowl first. The opening batsmen for Mallards did a good job keeping out the pace of Lloyd and accuracy of Charlie. The Fakenham bowlers struggled to get to grips with the slope of the pitch. Tom N then came on and got the breakthrough and Billy followed with a wicket which led to the Fakenham bowlers getting on top. J Robb and R Goldsmith batted well to their 30 and retired. Lloyd came back on for the final over and took a magnificent hat-trick. Fakenham looked good in the field and kept Mallards to 105 in there 20 overs. In Reply Fakenham lost Thomas and Jack B for 12 & 9. Solid performances by Billy 34 ret, Lloyd 22 not out and Harrison 13 not out saw Fakenham home with ease during the 14th over. Well done to the Team on a great performance.
Dean Futter
Seed thrives at Manor Park
Stephen Gray(55) and Jacob Seed (51no) both hit half-centuries after Fakenham were put into bat, helping their side reach a challenging total of 194 for seven. Paul Newman was Acle's best bowler, taking four for 26 from his four overs.
Acle were then restricted to 131 for nine from their 20 overs, with Rob Porter (23) and Geoff Handley (24) their top scorers.
The next match is on Tuesday, when Norwich play Brooke.
Current standings: Group A - Brooke played 2, points 2; Horsford 1,0; Vauxhall Mallards 2,2; Norwich 1,2.
Group B - Acle 2,0; Fakenham 2,2; Great Witchingham 1,2; Swardeston 1,2.
Fakenham cricketers find a winning formula
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| Fakenham's Ian Slegg holds onto a slip catch in the Alliance win over North Runcton. |
20 May 2010
Fakenham Cricket Club's scene came to life on Saturday with four wins, at East Anglian Premier League, Norfolk Alliance and West Norfolk League levels.
Fakenham moved off the bottom of the EAPL with their first win of the season, a six-wicket triumph at Clacton, Sri Lankan Gayan Wijekoon stepping off a plane on Friday to make an immediate impact.
Angus Stuart and Wijekoon gave Fakenham the perfect start after skipper Sean Cooper had won the toss as they tore through the Clacton top order, leaving them 31 for six. The hosts limped to 80 all out in the 39th over, Stuart claiming four for 12, Wijekoon three for 15, Cooper two for 11 and Sanjaya Rodrigo one for nought.
Fakenham also suffered a nightmare start, losing James Hill and James Brown, both without scoring. But Wijekoon (37) joined forces with Rodrigo (27) and their stand of 58 proved decisive as Fakenham won in the 24th over.
At Highfield Lawn, Fakenham's Alliance Division Two side had an impressive nine-wicket win over North Runcton A, who batted first an made only 96. The wickets were well shared between A King two for 20, T Hood two for 27, I Slegg two for nine, K de Ridder two for 17 and R Savoury one for 16. Fakenham cruised to 98 for one (P Dunger 17, B Whitwood 37no, de Ridder 37no).
Skipper Paul Dunger was pleased for Savoury and Hood who he described as young players typical of the future of the club. “Both have worked very hard. It shows what constant hard work and training can achieve.”
In West Norfolk League Division Two, Fakenham (64 for one) easily beat a depleted Sheringham (59) while the Division Four team (116 for six) won at Northwold (115) with Yin Lo taking four for 10.
There was some big hitting from Will Dunger for Fakenham U15 in their Andy Seeley U15 Trophy win over Mattishall.
He cracked 164 no in the 20-over-a-side match out of 207 for four. He did not offer a chance getting to his century, completed in the 13th over, then saw two catches dropped as he really started to hit out. He has just turned 15, and the side containing six under-13s.
Team manager Paul Dunger, said of his son Will: “His very mature innings showed the benefit of regular nets with adults and reflected the standards at which he has been playing and watching cricket.”
Brisk Bushell puts Suffolk to sword
Norfolk Over-50s enjoyed a five-wicket triumph against local rivals Suffolk at Halvergate. Suffolk won the toss and batted, but were undone by the pace of Keith Bushell (four for 24), while spinner Andy King took three for 16 and Ian Bix claimed two wickets as the visitors were all out for 118.
Norfolk lost five wickets in pursuit of that target, but Martin Pearse (42) and Dickie Sayers (20) helped them achieve victory in the 33rd over.
Fakenham move off the bottom
Fakenham moved off the bottom with their first win of the season, a six-wicket triumph at Clacton.
Angus Stuart and Gayan Wijekoon gave Fakenham the perfect start as they tore through the Clacton top order, leaving them 31 for six.
The hosts limped to 80 all out in the 39th over before Fakenham also suffered a nightmare start, losing James Hill and James Brown, both without scoring.
But Wijekoon (37) joined forces with Sanjaya Rodrigo (27) and their stand of 58 proved decisive as Fakenham won in the 24th over.
Fakenham miss key players on first day
28 April 2010
Fakenham, under-strength for their opening East Anglian Premier League match of the season, suffered a disappointing home defeat by Saffron Walden.
Batting first, Fakenham failed to reach three figures as they were bundled out for 95 after being asked to bat on a strip that produced early movement.
The visitors' bowling attack was too much to cope with as Darren Cousins claimed five for 44 and Tim Smith was in miserly form taking three for four from nine overs with seven maidens. Phil Gray made 22, Sanjaya Rodrigo 21 and Will Dunger 15.
Fakenham tried gamely to make it difficult for Saffron Walden with the ball as former Norfolk bowler Ian Slegg picked up three for 12 bowling off his shortened run-up.
But the Essex side made it over the line for the loss of five wickets with opener Tom George hitting 36 not out as the visitors collected 25 points to Fakenham's two.
After their failure to sign Indika de Saram, Fakenham have recruited another Sri Lankan Test player, Gayan Wijekoon, as their overseas star and skipper Sean Cooper has high hopes for the new arrival: “We'd like him to consolidate our side with the experience he has as a bowler and a batsman,” said Cooper.
“He's an all-rounder who can coach both aspects of the game and help the youngsters develop and that is crucial for us.”
If he manages to beat the volcano dust problem, he should arrive in this country today (Thursday).
Fakenham showed a marked improvement last year upon the two previous campaigns, when they had finished rock bottom, and their second team also celebrated winning Norfolk Alliance Division Three.
Cooper added: “We are really looking forward to this season after the success the club had as a whole last year. All four senior sides had good seasons.”
Wicketkeeper Ben Harvey has returned from Great Witchingham, but Cooper will have to make do with a depleted side for the early part of the summer, with a string of his young players away at university and others suffering injuries.
Harvey will miss the early games, along with Joe Pipkin and Daniel Hubbard, while James Brown will not return from a new job in Amsterdam until later in the summer.
Norfolk wicketkeeper Stephen Gray should be available despite his studies and Fakenham are also looking forward to seeing more wickets from Angus Stuart, whose debut season at the club last year was hampered by injury. New signing from Horsford Luke Findlay could be out long term with a knee injury.
Everyone should be more availble next year, the third of the club's
three-year plan to build a title-challenging side.
On Saturday, Fakenham visit Bury St Edmunds. The Alliance Division Two side entertains Saxlingham 1pm.